The Mariners managed to avoid setting a club record for losses in 2008, but beyond that the season was horrible in about every way possible. The starter and relievers took turns all year coughing it up during the summer, and the lineup never jelled. Seattle hired Jack Zduriencik as general manager, and he brought in Don Wakamatsu as manager. Zduriencik began to overhaul the roster with the 12-player trade that netted, among others, OF Franklin Gutierrez and RHP Aaron Heilman.

BIGGEST NEEDS: More offense. The Mariners got plenty of hits (seventh in the AL) this year, but they didn't walk much (13th in the AL) and didn't score much (13th in the AL). If the club retains LF Raul Ibanez, it will need one more middle-of-the-lineup hitter. If the Mariners lose Ibanez to free agency, they'll need two more. Beyond that, the bullpen needs to be restructured. RHP J.J. Putz was dealt to the Mets, and two of the steadiest relievers, RHP Brandon Morrow and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, have been turned into starters.

Bloomquist and Cairo are coin flips. Both are nice utility players but won't be high priorities for Seattle to retain. Dickey refused an outright assignment to the minors and became a free agent. Burke was non-tendered.

The Mariners would like to get Hernandez's name on a long-term contract.

IN LIMBO: LHP Jarrod Washburn's $10.2 million 2009 contract might be too expensive for the Mariners, so it's likely the club will attempt to trade him. The same is true for RHP Miguel Batista (due $9 million in 2009), who, like Washburn, began the season as a starter. Both men will be in the final year of multi-year contracts in 2009. Both of these guys are making a lot of money, and the Mariners would probably be doing them a service if they could trade them to contenders and open up spots on the roster.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Jeff Clement had left knee surgery in September and doesn't figure to be healthy much before spring training, but by then he should be ready to go.

LHP Erik Bedard had a cyst removed from his left shoulder by arthroscopic surgery in September. His rehab time is four to six months, so he's expected to be ready come spring training.

3B Adrian Beltre had arthroscopic surgery on his left thumb and left shoulder in September, and he is expected to be ready to go come spring training.

LHP Jarrod Washburn was held out of most of September because of a left abdominal muscle strain that is expected to heal itself in the coming weeks.

RHP Carlos Silva missed much of September with back problems but is expected to be healthy come the spring.

INF/OF Willie Bloomquist didn't play after Aug. 10 because of a strained right hamstring. He is rehabbing with the idea he'll be ready to go next season.

Seattle Mariners News

The Mariners managed to avoid setting a club record for losses in 2008, but beyond that the season was horrible in about every way possible. The starter and relievers took turns all year coughing it up during the summer, and the lineup never jelled. Seattle hired Jack Zduriencik as general manager, and he brought in Don Wakamatsu as manager. Zduriencik began to overhaul the roster with the 12-player trade that netted, among others, OF Franklin Gutierrez and RHP Aaron Heilman.

BIGGEST NEEDS: More offense. The Mariners got plenty of hits (seventh in the AL) this year, but they didn't walk much (13th in the AL) and didn't score much (13th in the AL). If the club retains LF Raul Ibanez, it will need one more middle-of-the-lineup hitter. If the Mariners lose Ibanez to free agency, they'll need two more. Beyond that, the bullpen needs to be restructured. RHP J.J. Putz was dealt to the Mets, and two of the steadiest relievers, RHP Brandon Morrow and LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, have been turned into starters.

Bloomquist and Cairo are coin flips. Both are nice utility players but won't be high priorities for Seattle to retain. Dickey refused an outright assignment to the minors and became a free agent. Burke was non-tendered.

The Mariners would like to get Hernandez's name on a long-term contract.

IN LIMBO: LHP Jarrod Washburn's $10.2 million 2009 contract might be too expensive for the Mariners, so it's likely the club will attempt to trade him. The same is true for RHP Miguel Batista (due $9 million in 2009), who, like Washburn, began the season as a starter. Both men will be in the final year of multi-year contracts in 2009. Both of these guys are making a lot of money, and the Mariners would probably be doing them a service if they could trade them to contenders and open up spots on the roster.

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Jeff Clement had left knee surgery in September and doesn't figure to be healthy much before spring training, but by then he should be ready to go.

LHP Erik Bedard had a cyst removed from his left shoulder by arthroscopic surgery in September. His rehab time is four to six months, so he's expected to be ready come spring training.

3B Adrian Beltre had arthroscopic surgery on his left thumb and left shoulder in September, and he is expected to be ready to go come spring training.

LHP Jarrod Washburn was held out of most of September because of a left abdominal muscle strain that is expected to heal itself in the coming weeks.

RHP Carlos Silva missed much of September with back problems but is expected to be healthy come the spring.

INF/OF Willie Bloomquist didn't play after Aug. 10 because of a strained right hamstring. He is rehabbing with the idea he'll be ready to go next season.